Wimbledon v Sheff Weds 12/10/96 3.00Wimbledon (2) 4 Sheff Weds (1) 2 FT Ekoku 2 Booth 3 Earle 31 Hyde 72 Leonhardsen 67 Jones 86 The wonders of Wimbledon chalked up a club record sixth successive Premiership win but only after a bitter dogfight with Sheffield Wednesday. After an extraordinary match had opened in blistering fashion with two goals in a frantic five minute spell, it was Wimbledon's sheer perserverance which saw them through. The early leaders of the Premiership were no match for Wimbledon's rising stars with all the goals coming as a result of poor defending. Even Wimbledon's `Crazy Gang' couldn't believe the antics of Wednesday goalkeeper Kevin Pressman after just two minutes. Pressman, instead of hoofing a Peter Atherton back pass into the stand, tried to play keep-ball in his own six yard box which allowed the advancing Efan Ekoku to slot home the easiest of chances. However, the home crowd's joy was short lived as Wednesday replied within a minute when Andy Booth was allowed too much space on the edge of the box before smashing his fourth goal of the season past Neil Sullivan. But Wednesday's slack marking enabled Robbie Earle to put Wimbledon back in front after 32 minutes and Ekoku should have put the match beyond doubt, but he wasted three superb chances with only Pressman to beat. The addition of Dutch international Orlando Trustfull at the start of the second half, replacing Guy Whittingham, gave Wednesday more width and attacking options from midfield, but the finishing touch was still lacking and their defending failed to improve. The often used Wimbledon tactic of a Vinnie Jones long throw to the far post caught them cold after 67 minutes and Norwegian international Oyvind Leonhardsen was on hand to finish with a simple header. But five minutes later, Wednesday were back in the match when Graham Hyde scored his first goal of the season after Wimbledon's defence was also found wanting. The visitors could have pulled the match out of the fire with just seven minutes remaining when Robbie Earle was adjudged to have handled the ball inside his own penalty area but Wednesday striker David Hirst saw his spot kick saved. The final act in a pulsating drama came Jones' way, taking full advantage of appalling Wednesday defending to head home an Ian Nolan free-kick. 
Wimbledon: Sullivan, Cunningham, Jones, Thatcher, Leonhardsen (Kimble, 82), Earle, Ekoku (Holdsworth, 82), Gayle, Perry, McAllister (Blackwell, 26), Ardley. Subs not used: Heald, Harford. Sheff Weds: Pressman, Atherton (Nicol, 75), Nolan, Pembridge, Newsome, Whittingham (Trustfull, 46), Hirst, Booth, Blinker, Hyde, Stefanovic (Oakes, 70). Subs not used: Clarke, Humphreys. Attendance: 10,512. Referee: M A Riley (Leeds). |
